nyu pathways for discovery undergraduate research and writing symposium

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More Information and How to Apply

Summer 2024 application now available.

Click Here to Apply (application submitted via Handshake)

Summer 2024 Application Deadline: April 12th

More application details below

See this summer's Areas of Research Inquiry

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Summer Undergraduate Research Incubator (SURI) is run by the Provost’s Office as part of the Office of Undergraduate Research.  It is open to all returning NYU undergraduates who will be physically present in New York City in May and June.

The SURI is a 6-week summer program that runs from May 13th – June 30th for students who are interested in pursuing research or creative inquiry on issues of diversity or social justice. Students complete an original research or creative project under the guidance of a graduate student mentor and present their work at the end of the summer.  Students will also meet with NYU faculty and staff on topics including research skills, ethics, professionalization, and graduate school, as well as talks with NYU faculty about their research or creative practice.

The SURI is run by the Director, Undergraduate Research, Ethan Youngerman .    

SURI Recipients:

Are paid $16/hr for up to 31.25 hours/week -- $3,000 for the full 6-week program.

Conduct an original research or creative project under the guidance of a graduate student mentor

Attend weekly programming

Present their work at the end of the summer

Submit bi-weekly progress reports

Apply to SURI

Eligibility.

• Continuing students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the 2024-2025 academic year. Students who are graduating in summer 2024 are not eligible to participate.
• Students should be eligible for Federal Work Study and have an allotment left over for the 2023-2024 academic year, or have access to other funding to support summer work (e.g. MLK Scholars, Mellon Mays fellows, etc.). 
• Students have a commitment to pursuing questions of diversity or social justice in their research
• Students CANNOT be enrolled in a class during the 6 weeks of the program.  The SURI is a significant time commitment. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Application

Click here to apply (application submitted via Handshake)

The SURI application consists of the following components (please upload all components as part of one file):

Statement of previous research experience, if applicable

• Include the names of any previous NYU research programs in which you have participated, grants you’ve received or applied to, and any research projects you’ve worked on while in college, including in class (200 words max).  Note: this program is designed for students new to the research process – we anticipate plenty of applicants writing “this is my first research project” for this section!

Area of research inquiry

• Choose one area of inquiry that you would like to spend the summer working on. See this summer's areas of research inquiry below.

Research interest statement

• What interests you about this area of research? You might answer this by also answering: how does it connect to your major and/or your past or future academic coursework? What do you know already about it, and what do you hope to learn by researching it more fully this summer? How does this connect to some of your lived experiences? If you have an inkling of what you’d want your own research project to be in this area, describe it (but again, this program is designed to help you  become  able to describe a research project, so we don’t expect you to have one already mapped out!). (500 words max)

Choice of back-up areas of research inquiry

• This is in case your first choice is not available; each graduate student fellow will mentor no more than 5 students.

Personal statement

• Place your academic record into the context of your opportunities and obstacles.  Why do you want to participate in the SURI?  Make sure you describe your goals in detail.  Include any special circumstances (i.e., personal, academic, etc.) that you feel are relevant to your application. (500 words max)

Email Ethan Youngerman Schedule an appointment with an Undergraduate Research Advisor .

Summer 2024 Areas of Research Inquiry

As part of your application to the Summer Research Incubator, you will be asked to choose an area of research inquiry (as well as two back-up areas) to work on this summer. The areas of inquiry are below.

Research Inquiry Area 1:  How is our current moment of ecological crisis related to race and gender inequality, capitalism, and even nationalism?  

We are often accustomed to thinking about these ongoing catastrophes as isolated phenomena, so what kinds of perspectives would make connections between these systems more obvious? There has been a recent surge in ecocritical studies as a way of addressing these concerns. And, feminist theorists have, for decades, considered holistic approaches to different fields of study in order to address the way that power dynamics and systems of oppression are often interrelated. Anyone interested in ecocriticism, critical race studies, feminist theory, history, and contemporary literature, art, and film may be interested in developing a project which thinks about the above questions. The study of literature, visual media, and film can also be useful for thinking about these fields in conjunction with one another through a method called close reading. Close reading involves observing and analyzing meaning in any given text. Using this tool, students can gain and/or enhance critical lenses which help to think across disciplines and respond to concerns which affect all of us in our contemporary moment.

Research Inquiry Area 2:  How do the lived experience of historically marginalized communities influence their trajectories toward becoming public school teachers?

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly three-quarters (73%) of public school teachers identified as White during the 2017-2018 school year. Despite various pathways toward teacher credentialization, teachers of color constitute a small fraction of the total public school teacher population in the United States. Facing political, economic, and educational barriers, some students of color persist in pursuing careers in public school teaching. This research inquiry will implement critical frameworks to examine the experiences of teachers of color on their path to the profession. We will explore the sociopolitical factors influencing pre-service or in-service teachers' ability to meet credentialing requirements, review educational policy documents to outline the pathways to becoming a teacher, and understand the lived experiences that inform the teaching philosophies of teachers of color. Additionally, our qualitative inquiry may incorporate culturally sustaining methods such as  testimonios  and  pláticas  that have traditionally been implemented to capture Latinx communities' experiences. Furthermore, we encourage some students to employ Critical Discourse Analysis as an analytical tool to examine language and power dynamics in educational contexts This research inquiry will be of interest to students studying education, political science, ethnic studies, history, gender studies, and other related fields. 

Research Inquiry Area 3:  What are some of the social or political determinants of differential health outcomes (including mental health outcomes) among minority populations?

The world has seen an increasing prevalence in the rates of mental illness over the past 27 years. Furthermore, the conditions in which people are born, grow, work and age are shaped by the distribution of power, economic and social resources.

Certain sub-populations by virtue of their health status, race/ethnicity, sexuality and gender are more vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes as they are faced with multiple factors that impede access to quality mental health care. Some of the factors they are faced with include stigma, discrimination, low health literacy among others. This research area seeks to invites students to explore how multiple intersections of factors such as race/ethnicity, gender and class can significantly impact health outcomes. Students will also have an opportunity to examine some common conceptual frameworks that explore the role of institutional, political, social and health factors in driving adverse mental health outcomes.

There could also be an opportunity to conduct basic exploratory data analysis of public mental health data sets which the graduate fellow has already secured, and gain insight into how these determinants may emerge. This research inquiry will be of interest to students in health, social sciences (including anthropology), environmental health humanities, or majors which explore specific identities.  We welcome students who are seeking to explore the impact of certain determinants and intersectionality on mental health outcomes in various sub-populations locally and globally.

Research Inquiry  4: How do literature, cinema, and popular media inform contemporary politics of identity and community? What can we learn about the present by studying our cultural past?

Media not only reflects but also shapes the world. Films, books, TV, theater, and social media influence how we create a sense of identity, form communities, and perceive the world. My own doctoral research asks how filmmakers of the early 20th century played with film techniques to complicate queer, race, and class identities, and it compares these films with contemporary media. So, this research cohort invites students interested in the relationship between media and contemporary social issues. Students are encouraged to focus on historical periods and geographical areas of their interest to ask questions like: How are gender, sexuality, and race represented and, in turn, understood by audiences? Can media allow us to create communities in the “real” world? Can older forms of media teach us something about our complex, intersectional identities today? Employing methodologies like close theoretical reading, film and media analysis, and archival research, together, we will learn about our past to understand the present and envision future research paths.

Research Inquiry 5 :  A society’s intrinsic identity is preserved in its culture and passed on through performances from one generation to another as knowledge. Can study of such performances and texts highlight prevalent political ideologies? Do they offer insight to historical injustices and ideas of race and ethnicity?

Oral traditions such as folktales and performances are sources of a region’s cultural identity. My own doctoral research has been studying this orality as evidence of history and echoing gender differences, political authority, ethnicity and community identity. Through documentation, translation and analysis of folk performances we can understand the purpose, structures and functions of life. Additionally, study of popular traditions, literature, trends in migration and the role of translation helps identify how culture is transmitted across borders.

A society’s intrinsic identity is preserved in its culture and passed on through performances from one generation to another as knowledge. Can study of such performances and texts highlight prevalent political ideologies? Do they offer insight to historical injustices and ideas of race and ethnicity? Can they provide information on forgotten dialects or languages? A study of this kind employs qualitative and mixed research and data analysis for conclusion.  This research enquiry will be of interest to students studying or interested in areas of humanities and social sciences, including but not limited to anthropology, English, translation studies, cultural theory, performance studies, gender studies, globalization and migration theory.

Expository Writing (EXPOS-UA)

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Pathways Open House

Find your path at nyu, nyu pathways virtual open house: september 25th–26th.

Your journey to the future you’re dreaming of isn’t one long road—it’s made up of many paths. NYU Pathways is your chance to discover how the resources, programs, and support at NYU can help you reach your goals. Join us for a weekend of fun and interactive (read: not boring!) virtual sessions with NYU’s admissions staff, current students, and financial aid representatives. You’ll get a virtual look at our "Campus Without Walls," dive deeper into your interests, and leave with all the tools you need to build a killer college application.

And the best part? You get to choose your own adventure. Pick and choose as many sessions as you’d like for a totally personalized experience tailored to your schedule and interests.

What Can I Expect at Pathways Open House?

Two weeks before the event, registered attendees will receive a link to their personal Pathways event portal, which will allow you to choose from more than 20 interactive sessions taking place throughout the weekend. Join for the full event or customize your Pathways experience. Here's what's in store: 

Dive Into YOUR Area of Interest 

World-class academics is the foundation of the NYU experience. Get a better look at our schools and colleges (and start to find your fit!) in one of five areas of academic interest:  

• Arts and Media
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Education and Health-Related Fields

Conquer College Admissions

Members of our Admissions Staff will lead you through an in-depth look at the college admissions process, including: 

• How to navigate the Common Application
• What makes a strong application
• How to apply for financial aid
• Answering NYU’s essay question
• Applying Undecided

Virtual Campus Tours

Join our student ambassadors as they show you around our Campus Without Walls. These student-led tours will virtually depart at the end of each day.

Learn About Life at NYU

Discover all the ways NYU supports students around the world. From studying away in our global network to helping students find their community and balancing rigorous course loads, these sessions give you a look at what it’s like to thrive at a large research university.

Your NYU Pathways Agenda

Saturday, september 25th.

• 9:00 AM–9:30 AM - Welcome to NYU Pathways
• 9:30 AM–10:15 AM - How to Ace Your Application
• Why You? Why NYU?
• Applying “Undecided” to NYU
• High School Programs
• 11:00 AM–11:50 AM - Financial Education: Understanding Your Investment In You
• 11:50 AM–12:50 PM - Parent Panel: Supporting Your Student on Their College Journey
• 1:00 PM–2:00 PM - Virtual Campus Tour

Sunday, September 26th

• 12:00 PM–12:45 PM - NYU 101
• 12:45 PM–1:30 PM - NYU Academics: Understanding Your Options
• Arts & Media
• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Health & Education-related fields
• Pathways Abroad
• 2:10 PM–2:55 PM- How NYU’s Helps Students Thrive
• 2:55 PM–3:55 PM - Student Panel: Forging Your Path
• 4:00 PM–4:10 PM - Closing Remarks
• 4:15 PM–5:15 PM - Virtual Campus Tour

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Masters and Undergraduate Research Symposia

The NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia is excited to announce a call for applications for our second annual master’s research symposium and undergraduate research symposium! This Spring, we will host 20 undergraduates and 20 master’s students at two separate symposia for a day of presentation, discussion, networking, and exploration! 

We invite presentation proposals from undergraduates and master’s students enrolled at universities in the USA who are pursuing or have pursued research projects, internships, or other opportunities related to Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and/or Eurasia. Students from any academic field are welcome to apply. Both symposia will feature two different types of panels: 

Traditional research panels featuring 10-12 minute talks on executed research projects 

Casual, discussion-based panels featuring 4-5 minute talks on experiences – internships, study abroad, volunteer opportunities, and more – related to the region 

Each accepted participant presenting a research project will be placed onto a panel organized by format and theme, will receive feedback from a discussant, and will be given time to discuss questions with the audience. Accepted participants presenting on experiences in the field will be placed on a single panel, and will get the chance to discuss with both a moderator and the audience. All participants are highly encouraged to create well-polished presentations, including slides. 

Each separate symposium will run for one day in the Jordan Center. Symposia will feature keynote speakers, and will each conclude with a networking dinner off-campus. All accepted participants will have their travel costs covered by the Jordan Center, as well as one night in a hotel close to campus. Participants traveling from outside of the northeast may be eligible for up to two nights of lodging. 

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit the following materials/information HERE : 

Presentation title 

Preferred format (Type 1 – research presentation vs. Type 2 – experience presentation) 

Brief abstract 

For research presentations: please include a description of your topic, your main argument, and your main sources 

For experience presentations: please include a description of your topic/experience

One reference

For research presentations: from a research advisor or professor 

For experience presentations: from a supervisor or other individual who provided some supervision on the specific experience 

The master’s symposium will take place on March 8, and the undergraduate symposium will take place on March 9. Applications for both symposia are due by no later than  December 15, 2023. Decisions will be announced in the second week of January. 

Please feel free to contact [email protected] with any questions! 

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NYU SPS Career Pathways Bridge Program

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About The Bridge Program

Jumpstart your academic and professional career with a free associate degree from NYU SPS Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies, plus:

• Work-based learning and paid internship experiences
• 2-year scholarship
• Early credit courses
• Cohort-style college and career readiness seminar
• Career exploration workshops
• Academic advising
• Peer mentoring
• Stipends for commuting, course supplies and emergencies

“I want to create a stable and successful career. Being a part of NYU SPS and the Bridge Program, I'm able to get a degree, explore outside my comfort zone and gain new knowledge and experiences."

Our students, attend an event, muhsin tcheifa.

Belinda Dominguez Mendez

Isiah rosario.

The application for the Fall 2024 Career Pathways Bridge Program is open! Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Must be eligible to receive full or nearly full Pell and TAP funding
• High school GPA of 2.8 or higher
• Recent high school graduate
• Final decision contingent upon passing NYU SPS Math and Writing placement exams

Don’t know where to start or have questions about your application?

If you are a prospective student who wants to experience campus at NYU SPS, fill out this form !

If you are a student or high school administrator with general questions, email us at [email protected] .

If you are a funder, CBO or corporate organization interested in engaging with our students, please email Ally Margolis, Director of Career Pathways Innovation & Public Policy, at [email protected] .

Thank you to our funders for their generous donations and commitment to the work we do.

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• The James and Judith K Dimon Foundation
• The Schultz Family Foundation

If you would like to get involved, have general questions, or want to learn more, email us at [email protected] with any questions!

Thank you for supporting our students!

The cost of a high-quality education and meaningful college experience goes beyond tuition and fees. Your generous donation will provide our students with:

Paid internships in public sector and community service positions that often go unpaid. 

Social capital-building experiences such as company site visits, panel discussions with industry leaders, job shadows, and mock interviews. 

College-and-career readiness workshops and mentorship programming .

Study abroad courses with exploration of communities around the world through action research and direct service work. 

Scholarships for continued learning so associate degree students who have financial barriers, yet want to pursue a bachelor's degree can do so.

Donate today or contact us at [email protected] to learn more about how you can support the Career Pathways Bridge Program.  

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Spread the word about the Career Pathways Bridge Program with your friends, colleagues, students, and anyone in your network!

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Promoting Health Equity through Nursing Science: Pathways and Partnerships

Join us for a dinner and research symposium hosted jointly by NYU Meyers College of Nursing and Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences to honor the legacy of nursing trailblazer Dr. Bernardine Mays Lacey and to recognize nursing's contributions to health equity. 

During her 60-year career, Dr. Bernardine Mays Lacey held several notable positions, including founding dean and professor at Western Michigan University School of Nursing and special assistant at the Children's Defense Fund. She helped found Federal City Shelter in Washington, DC—one of the first nurse-managed health clinics for the unhoused. She was a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in healthcare. Lacey, a trailblazing nursing leader, researcher, educator, and mentor, died in March 2022.

Dinner March 28, 2023 | 5-9 PM The Blackburn University Center Ballroom 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059

Keynote dinner speaker :  Stephanie Ferguson, PhD, RN, FAAN, Director, Harvard Global Nursing Leadership Program & Professor, Practice of Health Policy and Management Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Dr. Bernardine Mays Lacey Health Equity Research Symposium March 29, 2023 | 8:30 AM-3 PM Louis Stokes Health Science Library 501 W St NW Washington, DC 20059

Keynote speaker : Bridgette (Brawner) Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN, The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professor in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations Villanova University M. Louise Fitspatrick College of Nursing

View the latest agenda.

Breakfast and lunch will be served. 

Room blocks with preferred rates are available at the  Cambria Hotel.

Pathways Into Quantitative Aging Research (PQAR) Summer Program

Participants in the Pathways into Quantitative Aging Research (PQAR) summer program will have an intensive schedule of courses, seminars and research, with enough free time to explore the city of New York on the weekends. For six weeks during the summer, students will receive instruction on quantitative and qualitative research methods, responsible conduct of research (RCR) training as well as GRE-prep. This program is meant to provide students with the skills needed to not only conduct research, but also to apply to and succeed in graduate school. Throughout the program students will be engaged in aging related topics/ research through their coursework, small group projects, seminars and site visits to various Public Health organizations in New York City.  After the completion of the summer program, students will remain in communication with the program through our year-round monthly journal club and mentoring meetings, as well as the possibility of a January return. Students will also have the opportunity to attend academic conferences during the year, with funding from the program.

Coursework  

During the six weeks students will receive formal instruction in Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Statistical Computing.

Small Group Research Projects

One of the main objectives of the PQAR Summer Program is to introduce undergraduates to quantitative research methods. We consider application to age-related diseases, disorders and disabilities. Groups of three students will be paired with faculty research mentors to conduct collaborative research projects on substantive aging research. Groups will additionally receive frequent help from graduate student mentors. 

Faculty Lecture Series

The Faculty Lecture Series has been designed to introduce students to faculty role models who will seek about their own academic trajectories, as well as their current in relevant fields. 

Professional Development Series

In these sessions, students will learn about applying to graduate school from GPH Admissions, they will have informal lunch meetings with Masters students, PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and they will learn about careers in quantitative Public Health fields. 

GRE-Prep Course (5 sessions)

Students will be provided with the opportunity to take a GRE preparation course.

Structured RCR Training (4 sessions)

Students will participate in weekly sessions on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training to ensure they are prepared to conduct research throughout the summer program and for years to come. The sessions will revolve around traditional ethics RCR training, but will also include quantitative specific training on reproducibility, data sharing and publication.

Social Events

Students will participate in social activities with other summer programs at NYU and with other R25 programs in New York City.

Annual Symposium   

We will invite a prominent keynote speaker, who will combine reflection on her/his distinguished career as a minority scientist with a description of her/his research and professional activities in aging. The symposium will be attended by current and immediately past program participants, faculty, graduate students, and the external and internal advisory boards. Past participants will present posters on their on-going or new research since their participation in the previous summer’s program. It will include scheduled times, such as lunch and breaks, during which mentoring across levels of training and experience will be encouraged and facilitated through assigned seating and small group activities. We will also hold a panel comprised of past participants and graduate students who will discuss their experiences in graduate school and offer advice to current summer program participants. Summer program participants will give oral presentations on their research projects.

Monthly Journal Club 

To maintain a connection with the summer program participants, we will hold a regular journal club during the academic year.  Students will take turns selecting articles and leading the discussion.  Faculty will attend, as well.

January Return  

We will be able to host three summer program participants for a return to NYU during our January session ( J-Term ).  During this three week period, students will take J-Term courses offered at GPH and continue their summer research projects. 

Academic Conference Support   

We will be able to provide funding to students who wish to attend academic conferences during the academic year, such as  SACNAS ,  ABRCMS ,  Field of Dreams ,  StatFest , and others.

For more information, please visit the PQAR website

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Program Coordinator at [email protected]